THE SEVENTIES # 1152: DOLPHY, NORA AUNOR, WITH ROLLY QUIZON, PANCHITO, PAQUITO DIAZ, MARTIN MARFIL, GEORGIE QUIZON AND CHONA CASTILLO IN "JACK N' JILL OF THE THIRD KIND" (1978)

"Jack n' Jill of the Third Kind" (1978)

RVQ Productions, Inc.

A Dragon Lion Films International

Release Date December 25, 1978

The 4th Metro Manila Film Festival Entry

Based on the story "Jack n' Jill" by Mars Ravelo

Screenplay Orlando R. Nadres

Cinematography Manuel Bulotano

Film Editor Efren Jarlego

Music Dominic Salustiano

Direction Frank Gray, Jr.

Cast Dolphy, Nora Aunor/ Also Starring Rolly Quizon, Panchito, Paquito Diaz, Martin Marfil, Georgie Quizon, Max Vera, Benjie Ledesma and Chona Castillo

THE SEVENTIES # 1151: VILMA SANTOS (IN THE TITLE ROLE), MAT RANILLO III, PHILLIP SALVADOR IN LINO BROCKA'S "RUBIA SERVIOS (CASE NO. 63572)" (1978)

"Rubia Servios (Case No. 63572)" (1978)

Sampaguita Pictures, Inc.

Release Date December 25, 1978

The 4th Metro Manila Film Festival Entry

Based on an "Unforgettable Legal Story" by Aida Sevilla Mendoza

Screenplay Mario O'Hara

Cinematography Conrado Baltazar

Film Editor Jose H. Tarnate

Music Freddie Aguilar

Direction Lino Brocka

Cast Vilma Santos (in the title role), Mat Ranillo III, Phillip Salvador/ Also Starring Estrella Kuenzler, Esther Chaves, Carpi Asturias, Jess Ramos/ Featuring Leah de Guzman, Mark Verzosa

(Synopsis) Medical intern Rubia Servios (Vilma Santos) is engaged to Dr. Norman Ignacio (Mat Ranillo III), but persistent suitor Willy Trison (Phillip Salvador) refuses to give up. On the day of the death of Norman’s father, she is abducted by Willy and brought to an island. She is repeatedly raped and offered marriage by Willy. She turns him down and warns him that she will bring matters to the police. However, he is confident that she will not press a case against him as she will not want the stigma of a rape victim. Rubia is released and she brings him to court. Willy is sentenced to six to ten years in prison. Rubia discovers she is pregnant and the steadfast Dr. Norman Ignacio proposes marriage. She gives birth to Willy’s daughter, Vivian, and they leave for Canada. Rubia wants a child by Norman and they have a son.

Years later, they return to Manila. There are mysterious calls on the telephone. It is Willy and he wants his daughter. Rubia and Norman hide Vivian and plan to leave for the American continent. However, Willy is able to kidnap the child with the help of an ice cream vendor. She is brought to the island and she begins to look to him as her real father. But she also wants her mother. Willy calls Rubia and tells her to join them in the island. Rubia refuses. There is a confrontation between Norman and Willy. Norman is beaten up. Still Rubia is adamant. She becomes terrified when Willy sets up a headless child in a remote area— the discovery of which is sensationalized in the tabloids. Finally Rubia agrees to join him. She takes the motorized banca with Willy as the pilot. In the middle of the sea, she takes a paddle and hits Willy. Willy falls into the water. Rubia takes her gun and shoots him. The banca reaches the island. Rubia is happy to see Vivian alive. As an epilogue, Rubia and Norman leave for the States where they are presently residing.  (Source: Lino Brocka: The Artist and His Times)

Vilma Santos in a titular role as Rubia Servios

See: Nora Aunor's "Atsay" vs. Vilma Santos' "Rubia Servios" in the 1978 MMFF

THE 2018 METRO MANILA FILM FESTIVAL: "RAINBOW'S SUNSET"- BEST PICTURE/ DENNIS TRILLO- BEST ACTOR/ GLORIA ROMERO- BEST ACTRESS

The movie Rainbow's Sunset won Best Picture in this year's Metro Manila Film Festival Gabi ng Parangal held on Thursday, December 27 at the Solaire Resort and Casino in Paranaque City. It also romped away other major awards- Best Actress (Gloria Romero), Best Director (Joel Lamangan), Best Supporting Actor (Tony Mabesa), Best Supporting Actress (Aiko Melendez), Best Screenplay, Best Production Design, Best Original Theme Song (Sa 'Yo Na), Gatpuno Antonio J. Villegas Cultural Award, Special Jury Prize for an actor (Eddie Garcia), Special Jury Prize for an actress (Max Collins)

Dennis Trillo won the Best Actor award for the movie One Great Love, which also won the 3rd Best Picture Award and Best Musical Score.

Aurora took home the 2nd Best Picture Award, Best Cinematography, Best Sound Design, Best Visual Effects and Best Child Performer (Phoebe Villamor). 

Other awards- Best Editing, FPJ Memorial Award and Best Float (Jack Em Popoy); Best Student Short Film- Bulacan State University (Kasilyas); 'Scratch It' Male and Female Star of the Night Award- Jericho Rosales and Anne Curtis.

"Rainbow's Sunset" (2018)

"Aurora" (2018)

"Fantastica" (2018)

"Jack Em Popoy" (2018)

"Mary, Marry Me" (2018)

"One Great Love" (2018)

"Otlum" (2018)

"The Girl in the Orange Dress" (2018)

THE SEVENTIES # 1150: NORA AUNOR (IN THE TITLE ROLE), RONALD CORVEAU, ARMIDA SIGUION- REYNA, WITH ROLDAN AQUINO, RENATO ROBLES, MONA LISA, ANGIE FERRO, BELLA FLORES, NENTA JANA, ROMA ROCES AND AMY AUSTRIA IN "ATSAY" (1978)

"Atsay" (1978)

Ian Film Productions

Release Date December 25, 1978

The 4th Metro Manila Film Festival Entry

Direction Eddie Garcia

Cast Nora Aunor (in the title role), Ronald Corveau, Armida Siguion- Reyna/ Also Starring Roldan Aquino, Renato Robles, Mona Lisa, Angie Ferro, Bella Flores, Nenita Jana, Roma Roces and Amy Austria/ Introducing Baby Herrera

Eddie Garcia directs Nora Aunor in "Atsay" (1978)

THE SEVENTIES # 1149: REY MALONZO, TINA MONASTERIO IN CARLO J. CAPARAS' "ANG HULING LALAKI NG BALUARTE" (1978)

"Ang Huling Lalaki ng Baluarte" (1978)

SQ Film Productions

Release Date December 25, 1978

The 4th Metro Manila Film Festival Entry

Serialized in Pilipino Komiks

Story Carlo J. Caparas

Direction Artemio Marquez

Cast Rey Malonzo, Tina Monasterio

THE SEVENTIES # 1148: CHIQUITO, RAMON ZAMORA, EMMA HENRY, WITH FREDDIE YANCE, TINTOY, NONA HERRERA AND VERONICA JONES WITH TONY BERNAL IN "THE WILD GREASE" (1978)

A Pinoy movie spoof of 1978 Hollywood hit movies, "Wild Geese" starring Richard Burton, Roger Moore and Richard Harris and "Grease" starring John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John.

"The Wild Grease" (1978)

Four-N- Films

Release Date December 15, 1978

Story and Screenplay Bert Mendoza

Cinematography Rudy Monteloyola

Musical Director Clem Soriano, Jr.

Executive Producer Manuel M. Nuqui

Direction Nilo Saez

Cast Chiquito, Ramon Zamora, Emma Henry/ Also Starring Freddie Yance, Tintoy, Nona Herrera and Veronica Jones/ with Tony Bernal/ Co-starring Renato Robles, Arlene Sison, aND Omar Camar/ Featuring Florence Carvajal, Big 3 Sullivans and Golay/ Supported by Ruben Ramos, Jun Santos, Carlos Diaz, Jimmy Rosales, Rod Francisco and Manuel Dagul

THE SEVENTIES # 1147: FERNANDO POE, JR., JOSEPH ESTRADA, WITH ANNA MARIN, APRIL CEZAR IN "TATAK NG TUNDO" (1978)

"Tatak ng Tundo" (1978)

FPJ Productions

Release Date December 8, 1978

Screenplay Pablo S. Gomez

Cinematography Ben Lobo

Music Ernani Cuenco

Direction Ronwanldo Reyes

Cast Fernando Poe, Jr., Joseph Estrada, Anna Marin, April Cezar/ Also Starring Paquito Diaz, Van de Leon, Anita Linda, Dencio Padilla, Nello Nayo, Victor Bravo, Vic Varrion, Virginia Montes, Ven Medina, Nonoy de Guzman, Ed Ramos, The Thunder Stuntmen and Max Alvarado/ Featuring Dranreb, Bentot, Jr./ Special Participation- Divina Valencia

THE SEVENTIES # 1146: NORA AUNOR, VILMA SANTOS, CHRISTOPHER DE LEON IN ISHMAEL BERNAL'S "IKAW AY AKIN" (1978)

"Ikaw ay Akin" (1978)

Tagalog Ilang-Ilang Productions, Inc.

Release Date December 8, 1978

Story and Screenplay Ishmael Bernal, Joe N. Carreon

Cinematography Sergio Lobo

Music Vanishing Tribe

Direction Ishmael Bernal

Cast Nora Aunor, Vilma Santos, Christopher de Leon/ Also Starring Nick Romano, Ellen Esguerra, Zandro Zamora, Odette Kahn, Charmie Benavidez, Ernie Zarate, Cris Vertido, Anton Juan/ Featuring PETA Kalinangan Ensemble, Eskuelahang Munti/ Introducing Andrea Andolong

Nora Aunor and Christopher de Leon

Released in VHS via Trigon Video

On the cover of  Kislap Magazine

December 7, 1978

(l-r) Nora Aunor, Christopher de Leon, Vilma Santos

On the set of "Ikaw ay Akin" (1978)

(l-r) Nora Aunor, Ishmael Bernal, Christopher de Leon

On the set of "Ikaw ay Akin" (1978)

(l-r) Vilma Santos, Christopher de Leon, Ishmael Bernal

A digitally restored and remastered version of the movie

THE SEVENTIES # 1145: BEMBOL ROCO, HILDA KORONEL, PHILLIP SALVADOR, PAQUITO DIAZ IN LINO BROCKA'S "HAYOP SA HAYOP" (1978)

"Hayop sa Hayop" (1978)

Showbiz Incorporated

Release Date December 1, 1978

Based on the story by Mario O' Hara, Daniel Martin

Screenplay Jose Dalisay, Jr.

Cinematography Conrado Baltazar 

Film Editor Augusto Salvador

Music Ernani Cuenco

Direction Lino Brocka

Cast Bembol Roco, Hilda Koronel, Phillip Salvador, Paquito Diaz

Synopsis- A band of thieves (headed by Bembol Roco and Phillip Salvador) flee to the mountains after robbing a bank. They bring with them an accomplice's girlfriend (Hilda Koronel) whose beauty causes mortal rivalries between the two. (Source: Lino Brocka, The Artist and His Times, 1993)

THE SEVENTIES # 1144: TONY FERRER, WITH JANET BORDON, CHARLIE DAVAO, CONRAD POE, ARNOLD MENDOZA AND NANCY DE LOS SANTOS IN "BEN BOGA" (1978)

"Ben Boga" (1978)

SQ Film Productions

Release Date March 31, 1978

Story Tony S. Mortel

Cinematography Ramon Marcelino

Music George Canseco

Associate Director Felix E. Dalay

Direction Jerry O. Tirazona

Cast Tony Ferrer/ Also Starring Janet Bordon, Charlie Davao, Conrad Poe, Arnold Mendoza and Nancy de los Santos/ Co-starring Joe Sison, Ben Dato, Rey Sagum, Robert Talby, Golay and Val Iglesia

THE SEVENTIES # 1143: SUSAN ROCES, MARIO O'HARA, LAURICE GUILLEN, PHILLIP SALVADOR, WITH MARY WALTER, MANNY OJEDA IN LIN BROCKA'S "GUMISING KA... MARUJA" (1978)

"Gumising Ka... Maruja" (1978)

FPJ Productions

Release Date September 14, 1978

Story and Screenplay Tony Perez

Cinematography Conrado Baltazar

Film Editing Augusto Salvador

Production Design Mel Chionglo

Sound Levy Principe, Jun Martinez

Music Lutgardo Labad

Direction Lino Brocka

Cast Susan Roces, Mario O' Hara, Laurice Guillen, Phillip Salvador/ Also Starring Mary Walter, Manny Ojeda/ with the special participation of Fritz Ynfante and Peque Gallaga

Synopsis- Maruja Isabel Sevilla y Mira (1872 - 1890) is in love with the stable boy, Gabriel, but has been bethrothed by her elders to Rodrigo Velasquez, a captain of the Civil Guard. She takes poison on her wedding night and is reincarnated several decades later in the person of Nina Concepcion (Susan Roces), a producer-actress. Nina is mysteriously drawn to the old stone house where Maruja used to live. It stands in the middle of a sugar plantation, the nearest neighbor being ten kilometers away. She buys the ancient abode despite warnings that the place is haunted. She dismisses all this chatter and plans to shoot the life of Maruja in the huge mansion with Marco (Phillip Salvador) as her leading man and Freddie (Mario O’Hara) as her director.

A press conference is held in Maruja’s mansion. Guests are flown in from Manila. In the party, mysteriously veiled women in black mix with the crowd. A drunken guest looking for the comfort room asks for directions from an old couple who are supposed to be dead.

Nina, Freddie and Marco are finally convinced that the place is haunted when they keep seeing the apparitions of ghosts, particularly that of Cristy (Laurice Guillen) who tells them to leave. Events in the past are reenacted like sequences in a play. “Para silang artistang paulit-ulit na lumalabas sa kanilang mga eksena,” exclaims Marco. Slowly they realize that they are being manipulated in a “dance of death”. Rodrigo wants his marriage to Maruja consummated. The company tries to leave but finds that the ghosts have blocked the exits. Terror mounts as the anniversary of Maruja’s wedding and death nears.

(Source: Lino Brocka: The Artist and his Times)

Article written by Billie Jocson

Kislap Magazine, September 28, 1978

Lifted from susanroces.blogspot.com

(From the collection courtesy of Mercy G. Masangcay)

More on "Gumising Ka... Maruja," click here

THE SEVENTIES # 1142: CHIQUITO (IN THE TITLE ROLE) WITH AN ALL STAR CAST IN "PETE MATIPID" (1978)

"Pete Matipid" (1978)

Archer Productions, Inc.

Release Date November 3, 1978

Director of Photography Ramon Sanchez

Music Geyju

Story and Direction AVP

Cast Chiquito (in the title role)/ with an All-Star Cast

THE SEVENTIES # 1141: CHANDA ROMERO, CELIA RODRIGUEZ, TINA MONASTERIO, GINA ALAJAR AND JAY ILAGAN IN "HATULAN SI DODONG DIAMOND" (1978)

"Hatulan si Dodong Diamond" (1978)

Agrix Films Productions, Inc.

Release Date October 27, 1978

Story George Vail Cabrisante

Screenplay Tom Adrales

Editing Edgardo Vinarao

Cinematography Totoy Jacinto

Production Design Arthur Nicdao, Peter Perlas

Music Rudy Rivero

Direction Emmanuel H. Borlaza

Cast Chanda Romero, Celia Rodriguez, Tina Monasterio, Gina Alajar and Jay Ilagan/ Also Starring Perela Bautista, Johnny Delgado, Joseph Sytangco, Romeo Enriquez, Romeo Rivera, Leo Pilapil/ Introducing Bobby Sandico/ Co-starring Joonee Gamboa, Angie Ferro, Adul de Leon, Rocco Montalban, Mervyn Samson, Soxy Topacio, Nards Apuhin, Jojo Santiago

THE SEVENTIES # 1140: VILMA SANTOS, CHRISTOPHER DE LEON, VICTOR LAUREL, WITH RIO LOCSIN, ROMEO ENRIQUEZ IN "DISCO FEVER" (1978)

"Disco Fever" (1978)

Lea Productions

Release Date October October 27, 1978

Story and Screenplay Maryo delos Reyes

Cinematography Jose Batac, Jr.

Choreography Al Quinn and Geleen Eugenio

Music Vicor Music Corp.

Direction Al Quinn

Cast Vilma Santos, Christopher de Leon, Victor Laurel/ Also Starring Rio Locsin, Romeo Enriquez/ Guest Sandy Garcia/ Featuring Freddie Aguilar, Sampaguita, Anak Bayan Band/ WEA Dancers, Blackgold Dancers, Junior Edition, Pacifica Dance Co./ Also Starring Charito Tingson, Ernie Zarate, Ester Chavez

THE SEVENTIES # 1139: RAMON ZAMORA, RIO LOCSIN AND REY MALONZO IN "THE DEADLY ROOKIES" (1978)

"The Deadly Rookies" (1978)

Movie Masters Film Patterns International, Inc.

Release Date October 20, 1978

Cinematography Joe Tutanes

Music Demet Velasquez

Story and Direction Junn P. Cabreira

Cast Ramon Zamora, Rio Locsin and Rey Malonzo/ Also Starring Joma Magistrado, Wille Milan, Dan Lawyer and Ibrahim Muhammed

THE SEVENTIES # 1138: CHRISTOPHER DE LEON, BEMBOL ROCO, MAT RANILLO III, EDDIE GUTIERREZ AND ALMA MORENO IN ISHMAEL BERNAL'S "LAGI NA LAMANG BA AKONG BABAE?" (1978)

"Lagi na Lamang ba akong Babae?" (1978)

Regal Films, Inc.

Release Date October 20, 1978

Story and Screenplay Orlando Nadres

Cinematography Arnold Alvaro

Music Vanishing Tribe

Direction Ishmael Bernal

Cast Christopher de Leon, Bembol Roco, Mat Ranillo III, Eddie Gutierrez and Alma Moreno

THE SEVENTIES # 1137: ALMA MORENO (IN THE TITLE ROLE) AND MAT RANILLO III (IN A DUAL ROLE) IN MARS RAVELO'S "DYESEBEL" (1978)

"Dyesebel" (1978)

Sampaguita Pictures

Release Date October 13, 1978
Based on Mars Ravelo's Bulaklak Komiks serial, "Sisid Dyesebel Sisid"

Direction Anthony Taylor
Cast Alma Moreno (in the title role) and Mat Ranillo III (in a dual role)

Image above, courtesy of V. Samson Komiks Collection

THE SEVENTIES # 1136: FERNANDO POE, JR., ALMA MORENO, VAN DE LEON, PAQUITO DIAZ, NELLO NAYO, VICTOR BRAVO, VIC VARRION, MAX LAUREL IN "KING" (1978)

"King" (1978)

FPJ Productions

Release Date October 12, 1978

Direction Ronwaldo Reyes

Cast Fernando Poe, Jr., Alma Moreno/ Also Starring Van de Leon, Paquito Diaz, Nello Nayo, Victor Bravo, Vic Varrion, Max Laurel

Fernando Poe, Jr. and Alma Moreno in FPJ Productions' "King" (1978)

Fernando Poe, Jr. confronts Paquito Diaz in this scene from FPJ Productions' "King" (1978)

THE SEVENTIES # 1135: NIÑO MUHLACH (IN THE TITLE ROLE), DANTE RIVERO, MARIANNE DELA RIVA, MARISSA DELGADO AND DINDO FERNANDO IN "BUTSOY" (1978)

"Butsoy" (1978)

D' Wonder Films, Inc.

Release Date September 28, 1978

Serialized in Liwayway Magazine

Story Pat V. Reyes

Screenplay Beer Flores

Cinematography Hermo U. Santos

Direction Fely Crisostomo and J. Erastheo Navoa

Cast Niño Muhlach (in the title role), Dante Rivero, Marianne dela Riva, Marissa Delgado and Dindo Fernando/ Also Starring Panchito, Dely Atay-Atayan, Crystal, Paquito Diaz, Tange Matimtiman Cruz, Balut, Moody Diaz, Joe Garcia, Pepot, Vic Morales, Danny Rojo/ Special participation of Allan Ronald Muhlach

THE SEVENTIES # 1134: JOSEPH ESTRADA, TRIXIA GOMEZ, CHARLIE DAVAO, MARTHA SEVILLA, MARICEL SORIANO IN "YAKUZA CONTRACT" (1978)

Yakuza Contract" (1978)

Bancom Audiovision Corporation

A JE Productions

Release Date September 21, 1978

Screenplay Diego Cagahastian

Cinematography Fredy Conde

Music Ernani Cuenco

Direction Cesar 'Chat' Gallardo

Cast Joseph Estrada, Trixia Gomez, Charlie Davao, Martha Sevilla, Marcicel Soriano/ Also Starring Kuneo Sasaki, Shohie Watanabe, Kiyoaki Takahashi, Hideo Murakami, Koji Sakamoto, Mike Cohen, Chris Stuttard and Audie Daquiz